torch

¹

[tawrch]

noun

1. a light to be carried in the hand, consisting of some combustible substance, as resinous wood, or of twisted flax or the like soaked with tallow or other flammable substance, ignited at the upper end.

2. something considered as a source of illumination, enlightenment, guidance, etc..

   the torch of learning.

3. any of various lamplike devices that produce a hot flame and are used for soldering, burning off paint, etc.

4. Slang.,  an arsonist.

5. Chiefly British.,  flashlight.

verb (used without object)

1. to burn or flare up like a torch.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to the flame or light of a torch, as in order to burn, sear, solder, or illuminate.

2. Slang.,  to set fire to maliciously, especially in order to collect insurance.

torch

²

[tawrch]

verb (used with object)

1. Masonry.,  to point (the joints between roofing slates) with a mixture of lime and hair.

torch

/ tɔːtʃ /

noun

1. US and Canadian word: flashlight. a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries

2. a wooden or tow shaft dipped in wax or tallow and set alight

3. anything regarded as a source of enlightenment, guidance, etc

   the torch of evangelism

4. any apparatus that burns with a hot flame for welding, brazing, or soldering

5. to be in love with, esp unrequitedly

6. to set fire to; burn down

   the looted monastery was put to the torch

verb

1. slang,  (tr) to set fire to, esp deliberately as an act of arson

Other Word Forms

• torchable adjective
• torchless adjective
• torchlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of torch¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun torch(e), from Old French torche, torque, from Vulgar Latin torca (unattested) “something twisted”; torque

Origin of torch²

First recorded in 1850–60; from French torcher “to plaster with a mixture of clay and chopped straw,” derivative of torche “a twist of straw”; torch ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of torch¹

C13: from Old French torche handful of twisted straw, from Vulgar Latin torca (unattested), from Latin torquēre to twist

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. carry the / a torch for, to be in love with, especially to suffer from unrequited love for.

   He still carries a torch for his ex-wife.

see carry a torch; pass the torch.

Example Sentences

In a display of utter domination, he torched the Yankees in two contests over the weekend, going 6 for 9 with a pair of homers and six RBIs.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

On day one of the war, Hamas torched the border crossings that Israel had built to facilitate trade and employment.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

As the criminals angrily described it to the BBC, "they yanked their own plug - tanking sales, burning logistics, and torching shareholder value".

Read more on BBC

He also announced in a press release that 260 police officers and 20 protesters had been injured and 40 police vehicles and 20 private cars were torched in violent clashes.

Read more on BBC

A dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed in the capital after reports of violence and looting, including the torching of the finance ministry's offices.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• beacon 
• lamp 
• lantern